Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kyoto, Japan

Comprised of over 14,000 striking orange torii gates, this mountain monument is a three-hour hike full of human accomplishments, natural beauty, and spiritual mystery.
Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, rice wine, and money. It was established by the Hata family in the 8th century. Fox statues are everywhere, because foxes were thought to be Inari’s messengers. Today, Japanese business owners continue to add to the shrine, buying torii gates for millions of yen each and having them engraved in order to encourage economic good luck.